Apparatus and methods for providing emergency alerts and securing a premises

A security system includes an individual subscriber unit, an emergency alarm device proximate to a location frequented by people, and a control system configured to a) receive an emergency alert message from the individual subscriber unit, b) receive an emergency stand-down message from the individual subscriber unit, c) automatically transmit an emergency alert signal in response to the control system receiving the emergency alert message from the individual subscriber unit, and d) automatically transmit an emergency stand-down signal in response to the control system receiving the emergency stand-down message from the individual subscriber unit. The emergency alarm device is operatively coupled to the control system for automatically activating for issuing an alert for warning people at the location that an emergency is present, in response to the emergency alert signal, and automatically deactivating for terminating the alert, in response to the emergency stand-down signal.